Human Times

Middle East Edition

15th October 2025

THE HOT STORY

GCC job market sees female surge

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has seen a significant increase in female workers, rising 11.6% from 2.8m in 2020 to 3.1m in 2024. Overall employment in the region expanded at an annual rate of 5.7% last year, with total workers increasing from 28m to 34.9m. The UAE leads in implementing reforms to enhance workforce diversity, particularly through the Emiratisation programme, Nafis. Dr Saundarya Rajesh of Avtar Group noted that while women's entry-level participation has improved, leadership roles remain disproportionately low, highlighting the need for greater gender balance in senior positions.

Khaleej Times Online

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Qatar leads in women's workplace equality

Great Place To Work has released its annual ranking of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women in the GCC, recognising 25 large, 25 medium, and 50 small organisations committed to gender equality. Jules Youssef, managing director for Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, noted that 96% of women feel valued in their roles. He highlighted that 98% believe promotions are merit-based. The report also revealed that 85% of women have access to professional development, while 94% feel safe at work. Youssef stated: "These initiatives reflect a proactive approach to addressing the unique challenges women face in the workplace."

The Peninsula

Commercial registrations soar in Saudi

The Ministry of Commerce reported over 128,000 commercial registrations in Saudi Arabia during Q3 2025, bringing the total to more than 1.7m. Women-owned businesses accounted for 49% of these registrations, while 51% were owned by young entrepreneurs. The Riyadh region led with approximately 50,000 new registrations. The construction sector dominated with over 67,000 registrations, followed by wholesale and retail trade. The report noted a 21% growth in establishments over five years, with limited liability companies seeing a 158% increase. "The growth reflects the Kingdom's Vision 2030," said a ministry spokesperson.

Zawya EN

WORKFORCE

Qatar and Sweden strengthen labour ties

During an official visit to Sweden, H E Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al Thani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, engaged in high-level meetings with Swedish labour officials. She met with key figures, including Ingvar Mattson, Secretary-General of the Swedish Parliament, to discuss enhancing cooperation and improving working conditions. The discussions also covered social protection frameworks and sustainable labour practices. A roundtable with leaders of major Swedish trade unions focused on institutional partnerships and worker welfare. Sheikha Najwa said: "We aim to foster fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces."

The Peninsula

Bridging education and job market gaps

The Education, Research, and Innovation Committee of the Shura Council met with Khalid Al-Ghamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, to discuss aligning higher education with labour market needs in Oman. Al-Ghamari highlighted the Labour Market Observatory's role in predicting job trends and improving education quality. He noted that the Ministry is developing initiatives to balance employment opportunities with market dynamics. The Committee emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Ministry and other institutions to achieve national education and employment goals, ultimately supporting a knowledge-based economy.

TimesofOman

ECONOMY

Oman’s economy shifts to knowledge-based

Oman is moving towards a knowledge-based economy, emphasising digitalisation and soft skills. A report by Bayt highlights a lack of interpersonal and leadership skills in the Gulf region. According to LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends study, 89% of recruiters attribute poor hiring to insufficient soft skills. Daniel Goleman noted that these skills are better indicators of success than IQ. By 2032, the soft skills training industry is expected to grow significantly. Employers are increasingly prioritising soft skills, which are essential for effective collaboration and long-term career success.

Oman Observer

Saudi Arabia's economy set to soar

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has increased Saudi Arabia's economic growth forecast to 4% for both 2025 and 2026, up from 3.6% and 3.9% respectively. This adjustment aligns with other institutions' projections, including the World Bank, which anticipates a 3.2% growth in 2025. The IMF noted that the forecast reflects developments in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. Inflation is expected to remain stable at 2.1% in 2025 and 2% in 2026. The report highlights the Kingdom's ongoing economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030.

Arab News

HEALTH & WELLBEING

UAE slashes medical processing times

The UAE is set to enhance the efficiency of medical fitness checks and sick leave processing by up to 55% through the updated "Ajr wa Aafya" bundle. This initiative, part of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, aims to streamline healthcare services for federal employees and job applicants. Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector, stated: "The launch of the 'Ajr wa Aafya' bundle reflects the Ministry's commitment to implementing the directives of the wise leadership." The changes will significantly reduce processing times and eliminate unnecessary procedures, enhancing overall service delivery.

Gulfnews.com

INVESTMENT

Dubai's new AI speeds up licensing

The Invest in Dubai platform will soon allow investors to obtain their trade licence in just 17 seconds, thanks to the introduction of Agentic AI technology. Ahmad Khalifa AlQaizi AlFalasi, chief executive of Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), announced this enhancement at the Gitex Global 2025 exhibition. Currently, licences can be issued within five minutes, but the new system will automate approvals, significantly reducing wait times. The platform has already facilitated 1.3m transactions since its launch in 2021, reflecting a surge in business activity in Dubai.

Khaleej Times Online

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Japanese universities target UAE students

Six prominent Japanese universities will participate in the Najah Expo 2025 in Abu Dhabi from 19 to 21 October 2025. The event aims to attract Emirati students to pursue higher education in Japan. Institutions like Kyoto University of Advanced Science and The University of Tokyo will be present. Mr. Tokuya Kanamori, Manager Director of JICE Abu Dhabi Office, said: “Japan's leading universities are keen to welcome the UAE's brightest students.” Currently, 57 Emirati students are studying in Japan, and efforts are underway to increase this number.

Zawya EN

Huawei launches 10th ICT Competition

Huawei, in collaboration with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, has launched the 10th Huawei Middle East and Central Asia ICT Competition at GITEX Global 2025. The event was attended by key figures including Cong Liang, Huawei's Chief Strategy Officer. Huawei aims to train one million digital talents over the next decade, building on its success of training over 500,000 ICT talents. The competition will feature national and regional finals, with top participants advancing to global finals, receiving prizes and internship opportunities. Ekaterina Pushkareva from UNESCO IITE highlighted the competition's role in bridging the digital divide.

Gdn Online

CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity summit unites global experts

The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity 2025 took place in Dubai, organised by the UAE government and the World Economic Forum. Over 150 cybersecurity experts and 90 speakers participated, fostering international collaboration to tackle cybersecurity challenges. The event featured 24 panel discussions and workshops, focusing on strategies for building smart economies. It highlighted the UAE's role in promoting advanced technologies and its capacity to host significant global events. The meeting aimed to develop a unified vision for cybersecurity priorities amidst technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty, emphasising the need for flexible, collaborative thinking.

Zawya EN

PRODUCTIVITY

AI transforms workplace performance management

AI is reshaping performance management in organisations, moving away from traditional methods. Executives from companies like Headspace and BambooHR highlight that AI removes psychological barriers to honest feedback. This technology enables continuous development rather than annual evaluations, allowing for real-time insights into employee performance. Smaller, capable teams are becoming the norm, as AI handles routine tasks. The focus is now on enhancing manager capabilities, which are crucial for organisational success. As Sarah Franklin from Lattice noted: "We need to hold ourselves deeply accountable for what the AI is doing and why."

Forbes

LEADERSHIP

Politeness stifles employee growth

Dr Christian Marcolli argues that prioritising politeness over honest communication can hinder employee development. A survey by Joi AI found that 58% of ChatGPT users prefer more authentic interactions. Marcolli emphasises that true excellence arises from challenge, not comfort. He advocates for "leadership sparring," a collaborative approach that encourages constructive exchanges. This method fosters bold thinking and psychological safety within teams. Marcolli's new book, Winning Match: Leadership for Game Changers, outlines five principles for effective sparring, aiming to empower leaders to nurture their top talent and drive organisational success.

City A.M.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

UDST president honoured for social responsibility

Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), has been awarded the honorary title of "International Ambassador for Social Responsibility" by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. This accolade recognises his significant contributions to social responsibility and sustainable development in the Arab region. Dr. Al-Naemi expressed pride in the honour, stating: "This recognition is a reflection of the collective effort at the UDST to champion social responsibility and sustainability." The award ceremony took place in Doha, attended by a high-level delegation from the network.

The Peninsula

INTERNATIONAL

AI disrupts India’s back office

India’s IT sector is undergoing rapid transformation as generative AI tools, like those developed by start-ups such as LimeChat, replace customer-service roles. LimeChat claims its bots reduce support staffing needs by 80%, with co-founder Nikhil Gupta saying, "Once you hire a LimeChat agent, you never have to hire again." Despite consumer preference for human interaction, AI adoption is surging, leading to fewer job opportunities in traditional support roles. Industry experts, like Neeti Sharma of TeamLease Digital, report a sharp hiring slowdown. Critics, including academic Santosh Mehrotra, warn of poor government planning. Displaced workers, like Megha S., face rising job insecurity without adequate support.

Reuters

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